Original Text
American Teens Talk!
Interviewer: What have you been doing this week?
Angela: We haven’t been doing a lot at school because it is right before the break, so we don’t do
a lot. They try to squish in a lot of tests during the week before we get out so we can start a new
unit after the break. So I had a math test and a science test. In orchestra we’ve been learning new
notes, how to read them and how to do them on the instrument.
Interviewer: What instrument do you play?
Angela: I play the viola.
Interviewer: Is there anything else happening?
Angela: I have a guitar lesson this afternoon. Christmas is coming very soon. My family doesn’t
usually celebrate Christmas. We celebrate it just for fun. We don’t open presents in the morning.
We prepare food all day and then family and friends come to our house. We open presents at
night and eat. We usually make Vietnamese food and sometimes chicken wings.
Interviewer: What do you study in language arts?
Angela: We learn parts of speech, grammar, and do presentations in class. Recently we made a
parody of The Night Before Christmas and we presented it today.
Interviewer: Anything else?
Angela: My birthday is tomorrow, so I’m having friends over. We’re going to have a sleepover.
We’ll go ice skating and watch movies together.
Interviewer: Is there anything that you would like to say to kids in other countries?
Angela: You should work hard for your future because it will pay off.
Adapted Text
This adapted text is written for Grade 5–6 learners at A2 (high beginner) level. It provides
comprehensible input by using simple vocabulary, short sentences, and clear ideas. Scaffolding
strategies such as pre- teaching activity and vocabulary help students understand the text better and
support learning.
Pre-reading Activity
Before reading, the teacher asks simple questions to activate students’ prior knowledge.
• What subjects do you study at school?
• Do you have tests before school holidays?
• Do you play a musical instrument?
• What do you usually do on your birthday?
Pre-reading Vocabulary
break – a holiday from school
test – a school exam
instrument – something you play music with
sleepover – when friends sleep at your house
present – a gift
American Teen Life
Interviewer: What do you do at school this week?
Angela: We do not do many lessons this week. It is before the school break. We have many tests.
I had a math test and a science test.
In orchestra class, we learn new music notes and how to play them.
Interviewer: What instrument do you play?
Angela: I play the viola.
Interviewer: Is anything else happening?
Angela: Yes. I have a guitar lesson today.
Christmas is coming soon. My family does not usually celebrate Christmas. We celebrate it just for
fun.
We do not open presents in the morning. We prepare food all day.
At night, family and friends come to our house. We eat food and open presents. We usually make
Vietnamese food. Sometimes we make chicken wings.
Interviewer: What do you study in language arts?
Angela: We learn grammar and parts of speech. We also do presentations. We made a funny
poem about Christmas and showed it in class.
Interviewer: Anything else?
Angela: My birthday is tomorrow. My friends are coming to my house. We will have a sleepover.
We will go ice skating and watch movies together.
Interviewer: Is there anything you want to say to kids in other countries?
Angela: You should work hard for your future. If you work hard now, it will help you later.